BHE vs PLXS

For growth investors, Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the stronger pick with 1. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 1% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE). Plexus Corp. (PLXS) offers the better valuation at 41. 6x trailing P/E (33. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Plexus Corp. (PLXS) a "Buy" — based on 18 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the cheapest at 41. 6x versus Benchmark Electronics, Inc. at 123. 3x. On forward P/E, Benchmark Electronics, Inc. is actually cheaper at 30. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Benchmark Electronics, Inc. wins at 2. 46x versus Plexus Corp. 's 3. 47x.

Over the past 5 years, Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

(BHE) delivered a total return of +182. 9%, compared to +174. 0% for Plexus Corp. (PLXS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PLXS returned +515. 8% versus BHE's +352. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 65β versus Benchmark Electronics, Inc. 's 1. 70β — meaning BHE is approximately 3% more volatile than PLXS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Plexus Corp. (PLXS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 12% versus 37% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is pulling ahead at 1. 8% versus 0. 1% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Plexus Corp. grew EPS 56. 1% year-over-year, compared to -60. 5% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PLXS leads at 1. 9% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Plexus Corp.

(PLXS) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 3% net margin versus 0. 9% for Benchmark Electronics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PLXS leads at 5. 0% versus 4. 0% for BHE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PLXS leads at 10. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 46x versus Plexus Corp. 's 3. 47x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) trades at 30. 4x forward P/E versus 33. 8x for Plexus Corp. — 3. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BHE: 2. 6% to $86. 00.

In this comparison, BHE (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. PLXS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

(BHE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0. 8% yield, +352. 7% 10Y return). Plexus Corp. (PLXS) carries a higher beta of 1. 65 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (BHE: +352. 7%, PLXS: +515. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

BHE pays a dividend while PLXS does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.